How to Improve Your Airbnb Ranking & Get to the Top in 2025 – 15 Strategies You Should Follow
Airbnb is a key platform for the distribution of different accommodations. It has become a real business for both professionals and amateurs. Whether due to its technology, its way of communicating, or its value proposition, positioning a listing on the first page can be one of the keys to success here. So it is necessary to know which “levers” you must activate and what to improve so that your Airbnb business has sufficient visibility to guests and great ranking.
15 strategies to improve Airbnb ranking
Standing out in the Airbnb crowd is tough these days, but it can mean more bookings and more cash in your pocket. This guide will help to elevate your Airbnb listing by focusing on several key aspects.
1. Are your Airbnb Property Photos up to Par?
It’s no secret that more than 90% of Airbnb reservations are made on mobile devices today. High-quality visuals are the key to attracting potential guests.
To improve Airbnb ranking, you must upload high-quality photos
Your first photo needs to be a showstopper. It should demand attention and make potential guests want to see more. It is your hook. Then, aim to keep viewers scrolling with strong visuals throughout your listing. Like a gripping movie, it grabs viewers from the start.
Some practical recommendations for Airbnb PhotoShoots
- Stunning photos. Hire a professional photographer specializing in real estate or vacation rentals. High-quality images can significantly increase bookings and justify the investment quickly. On a tight budget? Capture decent pictures with a good smartphone camera.
- Clean wins bookings. Every detail shows in photos, so dust, fingerprints, and clutter are dealbreakers. Sparkling clean is the goal for both eyes and cameras. Pro tip: It takes time! Plan on a thorough cleaning, like your wife’s three-day approach. Hire help if needed, but ensure every corner is immaculate.
- Lighting is king! High-resolution photos with bright, natural lighting are essential. Collaborate with your photographer to determine the ideal time of day for your shoot, considering the property’s direction. Check the forecast and choose a clear day for optimal results.
- Consider two or three reshoots to achieve stunning visuals. Aim for excellence, not just ‘perfect.
- Give guests a tour – capture every corner of your Airbnb, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and any unique features.
Lighting comparison for getting great Airbnb photos
If you want more tips on how to take great photos for your Airbnb listing and, this way, immediately improve your ranking, you can read about it in our article.
2. Craft a Compelling Headline & Description
Words matter, too! Craft a catchy headline and a description that talks about what makes your place unique. Is it the super comfy beds? The epic view? Let potential guests know why your place is the perfect spot for their trip.
- Keywords are important. Travelers on Airbnb search for specific things (location, fancy amenities, etc.). Sprinkle those keywords into your headline.
- Highlight what makes You unique. Include what makes your space special in the title. Think “Luxury Beachfront Condo” or “Cozy Treehouse Getaway.”
- Compelling description. We surveyed our guests, and guess what? Most admitted to skimming descriptions. However, a well-written description can still convince them to book. Keep descriptions concise and easy to digest. Focus on the feeling – don’t just list features. Paint a picture! Instead of “balcony,” say, “Sip your morning coffee from your private balcony.
- Bullet points rule: lists are your friends. They make info accessible to scan. Use it.
- Clear communication. Speak clearly, like explaining things to a friend.
Tell your guests about the neighborhood and what is near your accommodation
If you want to find out how to write great descriptions for your listings in just 10 minutes, you should definitely check out our article with many examples and free templates!
3. Update your Airbnb Listing Description on a Regular Base
Forget about competing directly with Airbnb or other platforms. Instead, optimize your Airbnb listing to rank higher in local searches. Complete your listing, and fill out every section! Don’t leave any empty fields.
Don’t forget about the description of your listing to help your guest understand what to expect
Keep your listing fresh with updates to stay on top of Airbnb searches. You have a new amenity – update it in your Airbnb Listing; you have made a renovation, update your listing. If you have a new idea of what to add, update your listing and guide.
We strongly recommend updating your photos when your Airbnb changes. Frequently update your calendar, description, and photos. Airbnb tends to rank active and recently updated listings higher. I’ve checked that – it really works!
4. Set a Competitive Pricing
Competitive pricing can also help you snag more bookings. Consider offering discounts for longer stays or enabling instant booking for those last-minute planners.
- Stand out from the competition. Look at similar listings in your area to see their amenities and features. Think about how yours compares and highlight your unique selling points.
- Be flexible with pricing. Consider adjusting your rates based on occupancy levels.
- Regular price updates. Updating your pricing at least weekly can help you stay competitive.
- Promotions and discounts. Promotions are a great way to attract bookings. Offer weekly and monthly discounts to incentivize longer stays. This can lead to more stable income and potential cost savings for you (e.g., on cleaning services). A 10-20% weekly discount and a 15-35% monthly discount is a good starting point, but you can adjust these based on your needs and market conditions. Sometimes, a deeper monthly discount (up to 50%) might be beneficial.
- Seasonal pricing. Consider adjusting your pricing for holidays, peak seasons, and local events. You can potentially charge more during high-demand periods.
Airbnb advertising pricing
Use everything: weekly discounts, monthly discounts, early bird discounts, and last-minute deals. Always test and experiment with your pricing. Test, test, test, and always give it a shot. I’ll try the pricing like this. Try to race price and lower your cost and pricing only with practical experience. You will feel the market, how it works, and how it operates.
5. Turn on Instant Booking for More Airbnb Guests
This is a biggie! Without instant booking, you lose up to 90% of all reservations. Airbnb favors these in search results, so you are not even in the search results for many locations.
If you turn off the instant booking, your potential guests will go away to another host to not wait for your answer
Listings with instant bookings tend to rank higher in Airbnb searches. Think of it like skipping the line – guests can book your place immediately, leading to more reservations!
6. Respond to Guests Fast on Airbnb
Being a responsive host is essential, too. Airbnb and all other Online Travel Agencies (OTA) track how quickly you answer messages; faster replies can mean you get ranked higher in searches. Airbnb highly values that you are on top of your property and that you keep it updated. This is in line with this other point that it highly values: answering your users’ questions quickly.
Your response rate and how quickly you respond directly affect your Airbnb search rankings
You don’t have to answer questions about your accommodation in minutes but in less than 24 hours. This shows once again that you are interested in your property and that you keep it updated to improve the browsing and interaction experience as much as possible. So, find a system that works for you to respond quickly to inquiries, measuring how quickly you respond to inquiries and other messages.
7. Strive for 5-Star Reviews
One factor to take into account on Airbnb when positioning your accommodation is the number of reviews you have and whether they are 5 stars. They give priority to quality accommodations and user comments measure this. If these are satisfactory, your apartment will be favored with a better position in searches.
Airbnb reviews as an important component to improve your Airbnb ranking
Here’s how to encourage guests to leave positive feedback:
- Deliver a fantastic stay. Focus on exceptional hospitality, cleanliness, and ensuring your listing description is accurate. Guests appreciate feeling welcome and comfortable in a space that matches their expectations.
- Friendly reminder. After a guest’s stay, you can politely send a message reminding them to leave a review if they enjoyed their experience.
- Focus on 5 stars, but manage expectations. While 5-star reviews are ideal, sometimes things come up. Address any issues promptly and professionally to minimize the chance of a negative review.
Make sure that you have ten 5-star reviews right from the start. Lower the price, provide discounts, and do whatever it takes to get the first ten perfect reviews.
8. Enable One-Day Bookings
The more you limit the minimum booking days, the less chance you have of renting your apartment, and Airbnb doesn’t like that at all.
Especially at the beginning, to be able to get the first reservations and the first reviews, it is essential that you offer reservations from just one night. This is something that many people reject because sometimes it is not worth renting your apartment for just one day, but capturing the first reservations and reviews can be a perfect option to improve your position on Airbnb.
9. Set Clear House Rules to Avoid Surprises
Having clear house rules can prevent misunderstandings with guests and bad reviews, which can hurt your ranking (as we mentioned before, reviews are super important!).
- Specific rules to consider. You can outline expectations around occupancy (number of guests allowed), noise levels (quiet hours), smoking (no smoking inside or outside?), pets (allowed or not?), parking (designated spots or street parking?), parties (allowed or not?), and check-in/check-out procedures.
- Be clear and concise. Use simple language and bullet points for easy understanding.
- Highlight important rules. Bold or underline crucial rules like no smoking or quiet hours.
- Include the house manual. Create a separate house manual with detailed information about appliances, Wi-Fi passwords, and local recommendations.
- Pre-approval for additional guests. If you allow extra guests for a fee, mention needing pre-approval to avoid exceeding occupancy limits.
- Security deposit information. Briefly mention any security deposit details and what they cover (potential damages beyond normal wear and tear).
Airbnb house rules (clickable)
10. Offer Unique Amenities
One more strategy to improve your listing ranking on Airbnb is unique features. Guests adore them! Think about what separates your place: a sparkling pool, a relaxing hot tub, amazing views, or being close to fun attractions. Can you offer local recommendations or even guide guests yourself? Play up what makes your place special!
Instances of exclusive amenities for Airbnb listing
| Unique amenity | How to highlight it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling pool | Showcase high-quality photos and mention maintenance for cleanliness | A private infinity pool overlooking the ocean in a luxury villa in Cap Cana, Punta Cana. |
| Relaxing hot tub | Highlight as a perfect way to unwind after a long day | A beachfront villa in Bavaro with a jacuzzi on the terrace for enjoying ocean views. |
| Amazing views | Emphasize sunrise/sunset views in descriptions and photos | A penthouse in Los Corales with a panoramic terrace offering breathtaking Caribbean Sea views. |
| Proximity to attractions | List nearby attractions and estimated travel times | A villa in Casa de Campo located 5 minutes from Minitas Beach and the famous Altos de Chavón. |
| Local recommendations | Share favorite restaurants, hidden gems, and activities | A host in Punta Cana providing guests with a personalized list of top beach clubs, local seafood spots, and must-visit excursions. |
| Personal guided tours | Offer guided tours or custom itineraries tailored to guest interests | A villa owner in Uvero Alto offering private catamaran tours to Saona Island for guests. |
| Tropical beach setting | Mention crystal-clear water, palm trees, and soft white sand | A beachfront villa in Cap Cana with direct access to Juanillo Beach, known for its powdery white sand and turquoise waters. |
Ask your guests about why they visit your area. Is it for the crystal-clear turquoise water, the sparkling pool, the swaying palm trees, or the pristine white sand beaches? Highlight what makes your listing a perfect fit for their dream vacation!
11. Promote Your Listing
And, of course, today, nothing really exists without proper advertising. Use it as one more strategy to improve your ranking on Airbnb!
- Share on social media. Post enticing photos and descriptions of your place on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms.
- Connect with local tourism boards. Many local tourism boards list member accommodations on their websites.
- Tell your network. Let your friends, family, and colleagues know you’re hosting on Airbnb! They might be interested or know someone who is.
- Bonus tip. The more traffic and bookings your listing gets, the higher it might rank in Airbnb searches. So promoting your place can be a double win: attracting more guests and potentially improving your visibility!
Importance of 5-star review for your marketing strategy on Airbnb
12. Update Your Availability Calendar Frequently
Updating your calendar’s available dates is a key factor in showing Airbnb that you’re serious about renting out your home. One of the algorithmic factors that most influence your Airbnb listing positions in search is how often you update your dates, prices, etc. Airbnb likes to see your listing’s data and calendars up to date. Don’t forget to open your calendar for booking, or you will not get any reservations at all!
If you leave your calendar locked, you will not get even a message regarding the reservation!
If you don’t have any reservations for a period of time, we recommend that you make small changes, even if they’re fictitious, and block dates and then release them again. The trick is to make updates to your listing.
13. The More Bookings – the Better Rankings
Airbnb rewards those apartments that generate bookings regularly. If you look closely, shortly after receiving a booking, your apartment improves its position in your city’s ranking. This is because Airbnb values positively that your apartment gets a rental and rewards you with a better ranking.
A trick: There are people who lower the price of their apartment until they get a reservation. Once they have made that reservation, they immediately raise the accommodation prices because they know that their apartment will improve its position over time. It is a strategy that requires being very on top of your accommodation management but can give you excellent results.
14. Complete Your Personal Profile
Your personal profile is very important (Airbnb’s value lies in “humanizing” travel). A nice description of yourself can help guests decide between two similar listings. In addition, you should add all the personal information that Airbnb asks for in order to verify them. Gaining the trust of users is always a good way to do any kind of business.
Airbnb Superhost profile as one more way to improve ranking
15. Be Present on Social Networks
Another aspect to consider to improve the position of your apartment in the ranking of your city or town is to spread this Airbnb listing through social networks. The more “Likes”, “Retweets” and so on you get on your apartment listing, the better.
Airbnb Advertising AI ChatGPT
The Airbnb algorithm interprets this type of thing as something positive and will reward you with a better position in its search engine (generation of backlinks for your accommodation). Don’t forget to share your apartment on social networks and make it known to your friends and contacts. The greater the visibility, the more traffic and, therefore, the greater the recognition of the platform.
As a conclusion
Boosting your Airbnb ranking requires consistent effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By optimizing your listing with high-quality photos, compelling descriptions, competitive pricing, and excellent guest communication, you can significantly increase your visibility and bookings. Keeping your calendar updated, responding quickly to inquiries, and maintaining a 5-star guest experience will further enhance your success.
Implementing these 15 strategies will help you stand out in a crowded market and attract more guests. Stay proactive, adapt to changes, and continuously refine your listing to stay ahead of the competition. With dedication and smart hosting practices, your Airbnb can thrive!
Frequently Asked Questions About
How to Improve Your Airbnb Ranking
How to write an Airbnb listing?
Focus on high-quality photos and a compelling description that highlights what makes your space unique. Include clear house rules and mention any amenities you offer. Keep your listing updated with recent information.
Is listing on Airbnb easy?
Listing on Airbnb can be relatively easy, but creating a successful listing requires effort.
What percent does Airbnb take?
Airbnb typically takes a 3% host fee and a 6-12% guest fee.
How much do Airbnb owners make?
Income for Airbnb owners varies greatly depending on factors like location, property type, and pricing.
What is the 15% host fee on Airbnb?
The 15% host fee on Airbnb is a one-time fee for each reservation collected by Airbnb.
Are Airbnbs worth it?
Whether Airbnb is worthwhile depends on your situation. Consider factors like potential income, time commitment, and local regulations.
Why can't Airbnb find my listing?
If your listing isn’t showing up, it might be incomplete, inactive, or not meeting Airbnb’s search criteria.
Is it hard to get started on Airbnb?
Getting started on Airbnb is generally straightforward. You’ll need to create an account, list your space, and set your availability and pricing.
What is required to list on Airbnb?
To list on Airbnb, you’ll need to create an account and follow the steps to list your space.
Does Airbnb verify listing?
Yes, Airbnb verifies listings through a variety of methods, including requiring photos and sometimes additional documentation.
How to boost ranking on Airbnb?
Airbnb’s algorithm considers various factors for ranking, including guest reviews, completion of your listing, and how often you update it. There’s no secret trick to ranking high, but focus on creating a great guest experience and following Airbnb’s best practices.
How to beat the Airbnb algorithm?
There’s no secret trick to ranking high, but focus on creating a great guest experience and following Airbnb’s best practices.
How do you boost your listing on Airbnb?
- Maintain a high response rate to guest inquiries.
- Offer competitive pricing and consider discounts for longer stays.
- Get great reviews from guests.
- Update your listing regularly with fresh photos and information.
How do I make my listing more visible on Airbnb?
- Get great reviews from guests.
- Update your listing regularly with fresh photos and information.
- Respond quickly to inquiries.
- Consider using Airbnb promotions or becoming an Airbnb Superhost (program with certain requirements).
How do I get on the first page of my Airbnb search?
There’s no guaranteed way to be on the first page of every Airbnb search, but you can increase your chances by following the tips above to improve your ranking and visibility. Here are some additional things to consider for specific searches:
- If you’re in a competitive area, strategically price your listing and highlight unique features to stand out.
- Research keywords guests might use in your area (e.g., “beachfront condo”) and incorporate them naturally in your title and description.
- Pay attention to common filters guests might use (e.g., price range, amenities) and ensure your listing fulfills those criteria.
How do I make my Airbnb listing stand out?
- Offer unique amenities and a comfortable space.
- Use high-quality photos and a compelling description in your listing.
- Respond quickly to inquiries and provide excellent customer service.
How do I increase my Airbnb value score?
Airbnb doesn’t publicly disclose the exact value score formula, but it likely considers factors that impact guest experience and booking rates. Here’s how to potentially improve it:
- Maintain a high occupancy rate.
- Offer competitive pricing and discounts.
- Get excellent reviews from guests.
- Respond quickly to inquiries and messages.
- Keep your listing complete, accurate, and updated.
How can I promote my listing on Airbnb?
You can advertise your Airbnb listing on social media, travel websites, or other platforms.
How to get more traffic on Airbnb?
- Consider using professional photography for your listing.
- Promote your listing on social media and other platforms.
- Offer competitive pricing and consider discounts.
- Make sure your listing is complete and up-to-date.
Can I advertise my Airbnb listing?
Yes, you can advertise your Airbnb listing on social media, travel websites, or other platforms. Here are some additional tips:
- Highlight the most appealing aspects of your space in your ads.
- Include a link to your Airbnb listing in your ads.
- Target your ads to potential guests in your area.
How to maximize your Airbnb listing?
- Offer a comfortable and well-equipped space.
- Provide excellent customer service and be responsive to guest needs.
- Price your listing competitively while considering your target audience.
- Take high-quality photos and write a compelling description that showcases your space.
- Get great reviews from guests and encourage them to leave feedback.
Why isn't my Airbnb getting booked?
There could be several reasons why your Airbnb isn’t getting booked. Here are some things to consider:
- Analyze similar listings in your area. Is your pricing or offering competitive?
- Review your photos, description, and house rules. Are they clear, informative, and engaging?
- Do you have positive reviews that build trust with potential guests?
- Is there a low season in your area? You might need to adjust pricing or target marketing accordingly.
Does Airbnb have a listing fee?
Airbnb doesn’t have a listing fee, but they do take a commission from each booking.
Does Airbnb approve listings?
Airbnb reviews listings before they go live to ensure they meet quality standards. This may involve requiring photos and sometimes additional documentation.
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